A sad day. Shock, heartbreak and bittersweet nostalgia have been evoked in music fans this morning, as the news surfaced that iconic artist David Bowie passed away aged 69. The Rebel Rebel singer had quietly battled cancer for eighteen months before he lost his life, with the news confirmed on his Twitter by his publicist, and later by his son Duncan Jones, also known as Zowie Bowie. Since the news has been confirmed, fans have flooded on to Twitter to pay tributes to the man that played a huge part in shaping music history in the 20th century.

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January 10 2016 - David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle... https://t.co/ENRSiT43Zy

— David Bowie Official (@DavidBowieReal) January 11, 2016

Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all. pic.twitter.com/Kh2fq3tf9m

— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 11, 2016

So sad.. #DavidBowie was & will always be ART that lives on forever.. Fearless & unapologetic.. #RIPDavidBowie pic.twitter.com/iWyrSNl8f0

— Wilmer Valderrama (@WValderrama) January 11, 2016

R.I.P. David Bowie ...one of the all time greats...gone way too soon.... #whatalegacy

— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) January 11, 2016

R.I.P David Bowie. Wow. Such an innovator. You will be missed, most importantly your legacy… https://t.co/yKpbWSzi1J

— K. Michelle (@kmichelle) January 11, 2016

Such sad news about #DavidBowie ....part of my musical life. Thank you old boy for everything. RIP.

— William Snootsworth (@Snootsworth) January 11, 2016

I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring - David Bowie

— Sean Gadd (@SeanGrouplove) January 11, 2016

Never have I played one man's music so much, cannot believe this sad day. https://t.co/lVm2Mre9rO

— billie (@BillieMarten) January 11, 2016

#DavidBowie took me to Pinks for a hot dog. He introduced me to Little Richard. He bought me a pig fetus. He was the coolest man ever.

— David Wild (@Wildaboutmusic) January 11, 2016

RIP #hero #DavidBowie the greatest creative musician of my time. You touched so very many peoploids ?

— Ken Spearpoint (@K_G_Spearpoint) January 11, 2016

oh man. rip DB. this one always makes me cry. https://t.co/BWJ3XiSk8T i love freddie and bowie so much

— bridget everett (@bridgeteverett) January 11, 2016

Even when he passed... He goes with class. pic.twitter.com/gGNKTrojlE

— Dermot O'Leary (@radioleary) January 11, 2016

David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime.

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) January 11, 2016

No.

— Le Galaxie (@LeGalaxie) January 11, 2016

Hoping this news about #DavidBowie isn't true

— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) January 11, 2016

Totally shocked. Absolutely not getting head around this one #DavidBowie .

— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) January 11, 2016

One the greatest rock star legends of our lives....David Bowie has died...such a desperate loss..creative genius .....pause to remember...

— Jon Snow (@jonsnowC4) January 11, 2016

Nearly brought to tears by sudden news of @DavidBowieReal David Bowie's passing RIP

— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) January 11, 2016